The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed Judy Bond-McKissack as Executive Director of the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Specialization, the body responsible for overseeing the continuing legal education for the state’s 20,000 attorneys. In this role, Bond-McKissack will also be responsible for managing the Tennessee Lawyers Fund for Client Protection.

Bond-McKissack replaces David Shearon, who is stepping down from the position after 23 years of service. Bond-McKissack will assume her new role on January 4, 2011.

“We are delighted to appoint Ms. Bond-McKissack to lead the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Cornelia A. Clark. “Her extensive management experience within state government coupled with her tremendous legal background makes her an excellent choice to lead the continuing legal education of the state’s attorneys.”

Bond-McKissack has worked for the state for 17 years, most recently as a Board of Review Hearing Officer with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. She also held various positions within the Secretary of State’s office including Director of Business Services and Chief Legal Counsel. Prior to joining state government, Bond-McKissack served as Managing Attorney for the Clarksville Office of Legal Services of Middle Tennessee, providing legal assistance to citizens in seven counties in Middle Tennessee.

Bond-McKissack earned both her undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt University. The CLE Commission, which was established by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1987, tracks continuing legal education compliance for more than 20,000 attorneys statewide and makes accreditation decisions on 10,000 courses for 6,000 CLE providers annually. The Commission also oversees 14 certification programs for nearly 300 certified attorney specialists.

The Tennessee Lawyers Fund for Client Protection provides reimbursement for parties who have filed claims as a result of losses caused by the rare instances of attorney dishonesty. Reimbursement is funded through attorneys’ annual registration fees paid to the Board of Professional Responsibility.